Westmont Stops Master’s Five-Game Win Streak, 93-62

MONTECITO — Bill Oates is usually one of the most media-friendly coaches around, even in defeat.

But it was obvious that the second-year coach of The Master’s College didn’t feel much like talking Saturday night after host Westmont had dealt the Mustangs a 93-62 whipping in a nonconference men’s basketball game at Murchison Gymnasium.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Master’s (7-3) and was the worst in Oates’ 1 1/2 seasons at the school. Prior to Saturday, the Mustangs’ worst loss under Oates was a 98-86 decision to Georgia Southwestern in the first round of the NAIA tournament last season.

“They just outhustled us, I guess you could say that,” Oates said. “We just didn’t play with the type of intensity that we’re used to playing with. . . . We had finals this week so we were a little tired, but that’s no excuse for what happened because so did they.”

After trailing, 42-26, at halftime, Master’s cut its deficit to 13 points on four occasions in the second half but couldn’t draw any closer.

The Mustangs trimmed their deficit to 57-44 with 10 minutes 15 seconds remaining when Mike Penberthy hit a jump shot in the lane, but Westmont (6-2) countered with an 8-0 run over the next minute and a half to take a 65-44 lead with 8:45 to play.

“That’s when the game got away from us,” Oates said. “We got their lead down to 13 a few times and I thought we were going to make a run at them but we never did.”

Poor shooting hampered Master’s throughout the game, as the Mustangs made only 35.9% (23 of 64) of their shots from the field.

Center Leo Gorauskas made eight of 12 shots while scoring 17 points for Master’s, but the Mustangs’ other starters were a combined 13 of 45 from the field.

James Mosley scored 16 points for Master’s but was only six of 19 shooting.

In contrast, Westmont hit 59% (32 of 59) of its shots and added 24 of 28 free throws.

Mike Demers, a powerfully built, 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward, led Westmont with 20 points and 13 rebounds.